Recording/reproducing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A device, including a first storage unit configured to store a first plurality of files and a first management data corresponding to the first files; a connector configured to connect to an external storage device, the external storage being configured to store a second plurality of files and second management data corresponding to the second files; a controller configured to generate new management data by merging the first management data and the second management data, and to store the new management data in a memory; and a display unit configured to display contents of the first and second plurality of files based on the new management data without indicating to the user where the respective files are stored.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of, and claims priorityto Ser. No. 11/294,420, filed Dec. 6, 2005, which is a continuation ofSer. No. 10/301,320, filed Nov. 21, 2002, the entire contents of whichare hereby incorporated by reference. application Ser. No. 10/301,320 isa division of application Ser. No. 09/445,961 filed Dec. 15, 1999 whichis now U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,496, which is the National Stage ofPCT/JP99/02038 filed Apr. 16, 1999, and claims priority to JapanesePatent Application P10/107942 filed Apr. 17, 1998.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a recording/reproducing apparatus and a methodfor controlling an equipment to which is connected therecording/reproducing apparatus. More particularly, it relates to arecording/reproducing apparatus having plural memory units and a methodfor controlling an equipment to which is connected therecording/reproducing apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

There has hitherto been provided a recording/reproducing apparatushaving a flash memory for storage of speech signals on the file basis.This recording/reproducing apparatus is designed not only to store theinput speech to a microphone as speech data in the flash memory but alsoto store data used for e.g., computer data processing. That is, therecording/reproducing apparatus not only has the speech informationrecording/reproducing function but also is able top record and storedesired data as a recording medium.

Meanwhile, a user desirous to transfer data stored in a flash memory ofa recording/reproducing apparatus has to transfer data read out from theflash memory to an external equipment, such as a data computer, usingcommunication means, for processing, or to transfer the read-out datavia an external output unit designed to output the speech. However, thisdata transfer to the external equipment is a cumbersome operation.

For facilitating data transfer, it may be contemplated to provide a mainbody unit of the recording/reproducing apparatus with a detachable flashmemory and to connect the flash memory detached from the main body unitto a computer as an external equipment.

The recording/reproducing apparatus, from which has been detached theflash memory, and which thus has no flash memory as data storage means,no longer has the function as a data recording/reproducing apparatus. Itis not necessarily reasonable to store required data in a removableflash memory provided on the main body unit of the apparatus.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-described status of the art, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide a recording/reproducing apparatus in whichit is possible to improve tractability of a recording/reproducingapparatus having plural storage units, such as removable storage units,and to facilitate the operation of transfer processing for data storedin a storage unit of the recording/reproducing apparatus. It is anotherobject of the present invention to provide a method for controlling theequipment to which is connected the recording/reproducing apparatus.

For accomplishing the above object, the recording/reproducing apparatusaccording to the present invention includes plural storage units forstoring data and management data for supervising the data, and controlmeans for reading out the respective management data from the respectivestorage means to generate new management data and handling therespective storage units as one based on the new management data tocontrol data writing and data readout.

The recording/reproducing apparatus writes or reads out data for therespective storage units, based on the management data of the respectivestorage units, to enable the data to be handled easily by a user notconscious of the distinction between the respective storage units.

Other objects and particular advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the explanation of following embodiments ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an IC recorder embodying the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an enclosed type flash memory provided inthe IC recorder.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detachable flash memory provided in the ICrecorder.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for illustrating the CPU operation at the time ofstarting of an IC recorder.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing TOC data for monistically managing taskfiles recorded on the enclosed or detachable flash memory.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for illustrating the operation of the CPU whenmoving the task files.

FIG. 7 illustrates the state of the task files recorded in each flashmemory.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing control contents of a personal computer onstartup of the application, with the IC recorder being connected to thepersonal computer.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing TOC data for monistically managing the taskfiles recorded on the enclosed or detachable flash memory or personalcomputer.

FIG. 10 shows the structure of communication data between the ICrecorder and the personal computer.

FIG. 11 illustrates parallel ports of the IC recorder and the personalcomputer.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart for data transmission/reception between the ICrecorder and the personal computer.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for illustrating control contents of a personalcomputer when a task file is to be moved when the IC recorder isconnected to the personal computer.

FIG. 14 illustrates the state of task files recorded on each flashmemory and each personal computer.

BEST MODE FOR EXECUTING THE INVENTION

A recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention isnow explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, explanation will be made of a first embodiment of therecording/reproducing apparatus of the present invention.

The recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention(termed simply an IC recorder) includes a flash memory 9, which is anelectrically erasable/programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) allowingfor electrical data erasure/rewriting by a recording unit 10, acontroller 30 for performing control to write speech data in the flashmemory 9 and to reproduce speech data read out from the flash memory 9by a reproducing unit 20, and a display unit 40 for displaying theactuation contents from an actuating unit 50 and the speech datacontents stored in the flash memory 9.

The flash memory 9, used herein, includes a first flash memory 9 anon-detachably enclosed in the IC recorder 1 and a second flash memory 9b detachable from the IC recorder 1.

The recording unit 10 includes a microphone for converting the speechinto electrical signals outputting the converted speech signals, and anamplifier 12 for amplifying output speech signals of the microphone 11.The recording unit 10 also includes an automatic gain control circuit13, referred to below as automatic gain controller or AGC, and anencoder 14 for converting output speech signals of the AGC 13 intospeech data. The recording unit 10 likewise includes a buffer memory 15for transiently storing speech data from the encoder 14.

The microphone 11 collects the sound and transduces the collected soundinto speech signals, which then are routed to the amplifier 12. Theamplifier 12 amplifies the speech signals from the microphone 11 toroute the amplified speech signals to the AGC 13. The AGC 13 controlsthe gain so that the gain of the speech signals amplified by theamplifier 12 will be at a pre-set value, and routes the gain-controlledspeech signals to the encoder 14.

The encoder 14 exploits the strong temporal correlation of the speechsignals and encodes the speech signals by, for example, adaptivedifferential pulse code modulation (ADPCM) to generate speech data whichthen is routed via buffer memory 15 and controller 30 to the flashmemory 9. The encoder 14 is able to adjust the encoding volume of thespeech data responsive to two modes, such that it effectuates samplingat 8 kHz and 4 kHz if the mode is the standard play (SP) mode or thelong play (LP) mode, respectively, to adjust the encoding volume of thespeech signals with respect to the time axis direction. The SP or LPmode can be optionally selected by the user acting on the actuating unit50.

The recording unit 10 is in operation since a recording start button,not shown, of the actuating unit 50, is thrust, until a stop button, notshown, is thrust. During this time, speech data corresponding to theoutput speech signals of the microphone 11 is recorded as a task file inthe flash memory 9. If, for example, the second flash memory 9 b is notloaded on the IC recorder 1, the speech data is stored in the firstflash memory 9 a. If the second flash memory 9 b is loaded on the ICrecorder 1 and the first flash memory 9 a is charged to its fullcapacity, the speech data is written in the second flash memory 9 b.

The first flash memory 9 a is enclosed in the IC recorder 1, while thesecond flash memory 9 b can be attached to the IC recorder 1 and isconnected to the controller 30 via connector 8. It can be optionallydetermined whether speech data is to be written with priority in thefirst flash memory 9 a or in the second flash memory 9 b. Alternatively,a changeover button may be provided in the actuating unit 50 to permitthe user to select in which of the first or second flash memories 9 a or9 b the speech data is to be stored.

The first flash memory 9 a has, along with a task file storage area inwhich to store speech data, that is task files, a TOC data storage areain which to store the TOC (table-of-contents) data used to supervise therespective task files. Referring to FIG. 2, the TOC data stored in theTOC data storage area is constituted by “file number”, “task number”,“start address”, “end address”, “LP/SP”, “priority”, “alarm/non-alarm”,“priority”, “recording date and time”, and “alarm time”, on the filebasis.

The “file number” is a number used to roughly group the respective taskfiles, and plays the part of a so-called directory or a folder. The“file number” is, for example, “00”, “01”, and “10”, associated withfiles A, B and C, respectively. The user is able to record a task fileon a work in the file A or to record a task file on personal taste inthe file B, for example, by way of supervising the task files.

The, “task number” indicates the number of the actually recorded taskfile and specifically the order of the task files recorded in one of thefiles A to C. By these “task numbers”, the task file is identified asbeing, for example, “task file of a task number of the file C” or “taskfile of a task number 1 of the file C”, depending on the “file number”and the “task number”.

The “start address” specifies a physical start address of the recordedtask file, while the “end address” specifies the physical end address ofthe task file.

The “LP/SP” means the recording mode of the aforementioned task file.The LP mode and the SP mode differ from each other as to the samplingfrequency for recording, as mentioned previously.

The “priority” specifies the degree of priority of the task file. Thelarger the number, the higher becomes the degree of priority. The numberfor “priority” is from 0 to 3, with the priority 3 denoting the highestpriority.

The “alarm/non-alarm” specifies that an alarm reproducing function isset on the task file. The alarm reproducing function means the functionof reproducing the recorded task file at a pre-set time point.

The “recording date and time” means the actual task file recording timeand date.

The “alarm time” means the time point of reproducing the task file forwhich the alarm has been set.

For example, in the first flash memory 9 a in FIG. 2, the task file ofthe file number A with the task number 01 has been recorded with the SPmode, with the priority being 3. The task file with the file number Awith the task number 02 has been recorded with the LP mode, with thepriority being 1.

The second flash memory 9 b is configured similarly to the first flashmemory 9 a, and has, in addition to the task file storage area forstorming a task file, a TOC data storage area for storing TOC datadesigned to supervise the task files. The TOC data, stored in the TOCdata storage area, is configured similarly to the TOC data of the firstflash memory 9 a, as shown in FIG. 3. For example, the task file of thefile number A and the task number 01 in the second flash memory 9 b inFIG. 3 is recorded in the LP mode and has the priority equal to 0, whilethe task file of the file number A and the task number 02 is recorded inthe SP mode and has the priority equal to 1.

The reproducing unit 20 has a decoder 21 for transducing speech dataread out from the flash memory 9 under control by the controller 30, afilter 22 for removing high-range components, and an amplifier 23 foramplifying speech signals from the filter 22 to send the amplifiedsignal to a speaker 24.

The decoder 21 is a counterpart device of the encoder 14 of therecording unit 10, and decodes speech data, which is speech data encodedby the ADPCM system read out from the flash memory 9 responsive to thesampling points mpl1, mpl2, . . . , mplk or LP mode, to generateso-called PAM signals. The filter 22 eliminates high-frequencycomponents higher than the audible range from the PAM signals to outputspeech signals. The amplifier 23 amplifies the speech signals suppliedfrom the decoder 21 to route the amplified signals to the speaker 24.The speaker 24 is fed with and driven by the speech signals to reproducespeech data recorded in the flash memory 9.

The controller 30 includes a ROM 31, having stored therein a program forcontrolling the operation of the IC recorder 1, and a micro-computer,referred to below as a CPU 32, executing the program stored in the ROM31, for controlling the flash memory 9, recording unit 10, reproducingunit 20 and the display unit 40. The controller 30 also includes a timer33 for generating the timing information, a random access memory,referred to below as RAM 34, for temporarily storing the time and theresults of program execution etc, and an input/output (I/O) port 35 forconnection to outside, and controls the various circuits based onoperational setting by the actuating unit 50.

The RAM 34 stores, on startup, the TOC (table-of-contents) information,read out from the flash memory 9, or timing data for reproducing thespeech file. The CPU 32 compares the reproducing time stored in the RAM34 to the timing information of the timer 33 and reproduces the speechfile on coincidence between the two data.

The display unit 40 includes a liquid crystal display element 41 of lowpower consumption and a backlight 42 for illuminating the liquid crystaldisplay element 41 and displays the operating state or the actuatingsequence of the IC recorder 1 on the liquid crystal display element 41.

With the above-described IC recorder 1, data can be co-owned withoutdistinction between the first flash memory 9 a and the second flashmemory 9 b. Since the TOC data are recorded in the first and secondflash memories 9 a, 9 b, these TOC data need to be supervisedcollectively. Thus, if the power source is turned on to start the ICrecorder 1, or before start of the recording/reproducing operation, theCPU 32 performs the processing shown in step ST1 and in the followingsteps shown in FIG. 4.

At step ST1, the CPU 32 reads out TOC data in the first flash memory 9 ato store the read-out data in the RAM 34. The CPU 32 then proceeds tostep ST2.

At step ST2, the CPU 32 verifies whether or not connection is made tothe second flash memory 9 b via connector 8, that is whether or notthere is the second flash memory 9 b. If the result of decision is YES,that is if connection is made to the second flash memory 9 b, the CPU 32proceeds to step ST3 and, if otherwise, the CPU 32 proceeds to step ST4.The detection at step ST2 as to whether or not there is the connectionto the second flash memory 9 b may also be made mechanically byproviding the connector 8 with a switch actuated on insertion andconnection of the second flash memory 9 b, or by the CPU 32discriminating whether or not data exchange is possible with the secondflash memory 9 b via connector 8. It is also possible to use othermethods to detect by the CPU 32 whether or not there is the connectionto the second flash memory 9 b.

At step ST3, the CPU 32 reads out TOC data of the second flash memory 9b to store the read-out data in the RAM 34. The CPU 32 then proceeds tostep ST4.

At step ST4, the CPU 32 appends to the read-out TOC data of the firstand second flash memories 9 a, 9 b memory numbers indicating to which ofthe two flash memories belong the TOC data, and generates new TOC dataon the RAM 34. Meanwhile, if there lacks the connection of the secondflash memory 9 b, the TOC data of the first flash memory 9 a is directlystored in the RAM 34.

After the end of the processing of the steps ST1 to ST4, the TOC dataconfigured as shown in FIG. 5 is constituted on the RAM 34. Meanwhile,the TOC data is constructed by the respective TOC data of the first andsecond flash memories 9 a, 9 b.

The TOC data, shown in FIG. 5, is configured substantially similarly tothe respective TOC data of the flash memories 9 a, 9 b, and is made upof “memory number”, “file number”, “task number”, “start address”, “endaddress”, “LP/SP”, “priority”, “alarm/non-alarm”, “priority”, “recordingdate and time”, and “alarm time”, on the task file basis. The memorynumber of “00” or “01” specifies that the task file is that of the firstflash memory 9 a or that of the second flash memory 9 b, respectively.Thus, the respective task files are specified by the “memory number”,“file number” and the “task number”. If a pre-set operation is performedby the actuating unit 50, the CPU 32 sorts the task files in the orderof dates, alarm or priority, based on the TOC data shown in FIG. 5, todisplay the contents concerning the task file selected by the user bythe actuating unit 50 on the liquid crystal display element 41 of thedisplay unit 41.

The IC recorder 1 newly generates TOC data of the respective task filesstored in the first and second flash memories 9 a, 9 b, by the CPU 32,from the respective TOC data of the first and second flash memories 9 a,9 b, and displays the contents of the respective task files on thedisplay unit 40, based on the generated TOC data. Thus, the contents ofthe respective task files can be outputted from the speaker 24 to theuser or presented on the display unit 40 without the user becomingconscious in which of the first and second flash memories 9 a, 9 b thetask file desired by the user is stored.

The operation of the CPU 32 when moving the task file is explained. Itis assumed that the respective TOC data of the first and second flashmemories 9 a, 9 b have been read out from the flash memories 9 a, 9 band already stored in the RAM 34.

If the user acts on the actuating unit 50 to command movement of aspecified task file, the CPU 32 performs the processing as from stepST11 shown in FIG. 6.

At step ST11, the CPU 32 checks whether or not the task file to be movedis that in the same flash memory. Specifically, the CPU 32 checkswhether the task file of the first flash memory 9 a or the second flashmemory 9 b is to be moved in the first flash memory 9 aor in the secondflash memory 9 b. If it is found that the task file is to be moved inthe same flash memory, the CPU 32 proceeds to step ST15 and, ifotherwise, the CPU 32 proceeds to step ST12. The task file movement inthe same flash memory may be exemplified by storage of a task filestored as a file A as a task file of the file C.

At step ST12, the CPU 32 reads out the task file to be moved from asource flash memory, such as first flash memory 9 a, to store theread-out task file in the RAM 34. The CPU 32 then moves to step ST13.

At step ST13, the CPU 32 reads out the task file stored in the RAM 34 tostart the processing of writing the file in the flash memory ofdestination, such as the second flash memory 9 b. The CPU 32 thenproceeds to step ST14.

At step ST14, the CPU 32 checks whether movement of a task file to theflash memory of destination, such as the second flash memory 9 b, hascome to a close, that is whether or not data constituting the task filehas been written in its entirety in the flash memory of destination. Ifthe movement of a task file to the flash memory of destination has notcome to a close, the CPU 32 reverts to step ST12. This repeats theprocessing from step ST12 to step ST14 to write the task file beingmoved in the destination flash memory. If the movement of a task file tothe flash memory of destination has come to a close, the CPU 32 deletesthe task file moved from the source flash memory to proceed to stepST15.

At step ST15, the CPU 32 rewrites the TOC data in the source flashmemory and in the flash memory of destination, stored in the RAM 34, towrite new TOC data in the first and second flash memories 9 a, 9 b toterminate the processing. If it is found at step ST11 that movement ofthe task file being moved is that in the same flash memory, the CPU 32rewrites only TOC data of the pertinent one of the first and secondflash memories 9 a, 9 b.

The IC recorder 1 collectively supervises and handles the files 0 to 5of the flash memories 9 a, 9 b, across the first and second flashmemories 9 a, 9 b, as a group of a file A, without making distinction asto whether the task files stored in the first and second flash memories9 a, 9 b are stored in the flash memory 9 a or in the flash memory 9 b,as shown for example in FIG. 7.

Therefore, the source of the task file being moved may be the firstflash memory 9 aor second flash memory 9 b. Thus, the user is able toexecute the movement of the task files as the or she remains unconsciousof whether the flash memory to which the task file is to be moved is thefirst flash memory 9 a or the second flash memory 9 b, or whether theflash memory to which the task file is to be moved is the detachablesecond flash memory 9 b or the first flash memory 9 a in the IC recorder1.

Although movement of the task file is taken as an example in thepreferred embodiment, recording, reproduction, erasure, retrieval orcopying of the task file can similarly be made without distinctionbetween the first and second flash memories 9 a, 9 b. Thus, the user isable to handle task files without the necessity of being conscious as toin which of the flash memories the ask file is stored.

By storing the necessary task files in the second flash memory 9 b,dismounting this second flash memory 9 b from the IC recorder 1 andconnecting it to another device, such as a personal computer, task filescan be transferred easily from the IC recorder 1 to the other device.

For example, if such a telephone handset is available by which taskfiles can be stored in the second flash memory 9 b or by which taskfiles recorded in the second flash memory 9 b or other flash memories,the contents of the telephone call can be stored in the second flashmemory 9 b, and the second flash memory 9 b can be detached from thesecond flash memory 9 b and loaded on the IC recorder 1 to hear thecontents of the telephone talk stored in the second flash memory 9 b.Conversely, the second flash memory 9 b can be detached from the ICrecorder 1 and loaded on the aforementioned telephone handset toreproduce the task files recorded in the second flash memory 9 b forhearing by the counterpart of telephone talks.

Since the image data generating device has the so-called enclosed typefirst flash memory 9 a, that is not detachable from the IC recorder 1,speech data can be recorded using the first flash memory 9 a, even ifthe second flash memory 9 b has been detached from the IC recorder 1,while the task file can be reproduced on the basis of the TOC data ofthe first flash memory 9 a.

A second embodiment of the present invention is now explained. In thepresent second embodiment, it is assumed that the IC recorder 1 and apersonal computer 60 as an external equipment are interconnected by aconnector 7, as shown in FIG. 1. It is assumed that the personalcomputer 60 has a storage unit for storage of plural task files and TOCdata for supervising the task files.

If the IC recorder 1 is connected to the personal computer 60 viaconnector 7 and a connection cable, the actuating unit 50 of the ICrecorder 1 ceases its operation to evade complexity of the operation. Aninput signal from the actuating portion of the personal computer 60 issent to the controller 30 such that the IC recorder 1 is controlled bythe personal computer 60. On startup of the application, the personalcomputer 60 performs the processing as from step ST21 to step ST26 asshown in FIG. 8.

At step ST21, the personal computer 60 exchanges signals or data withthe IC recorder 1 via connector 7 to check the connection. It thepersonal computer 60 verifies that it is connected to the IC recorder 1,it proceeds to step ST22. If the personal computer 60 cannot detect thatit is connected to the IC recorder 1, such that transmission data is notsent from the IC recorder 1 to the personal computer 60 within a pre-settime, that is, so-called time-out is judged to have occurred, thepersonal computer 60 proceeds to step ST26.

At step ST22, the personal computer 60 performs the processing ofreading out the totality of TOC data from the first and second flashmemories 9 a, 9 b of the IC recorder 1. If the totality of the TOC datahas been read out from the respective first and second flash memories 9a, 9 b, the personal computer 60 proceeds to the second step 23. If, forexample, there is no task file stored in the first or second flashmemories 9 a, 9 b, such that pre-set time has elapsed without TOC databeing read out to produce time-out, the personal computer 60 proceeds tostep ST26.

At step ST23, the personal computer 60 displays the information on thetotality of task files, such as TOC data shown in FIG. 9 on a displaydevice, not shown, based on the TOC data read out from the first andsecond flash memories 9 a, 9 b. The personal computer 60 then proceedsto step ST24.

At step ST24, the personal computer 60 awaits the oncoming of actuatinginputs from actuating portions, such as keyboards or mouse, not shown,to proceed to step ST25.

At step ST25, the personal computer 60 performs the processingconforming to the actuating input from the actuating unit. The personalcomputer 60 then reverts to step ST23. If the processing at step ST23comes to a close or in case of time-out, the personal computer 60proceeds to step ST26.

At step ST26, the personal computer 60 indicates on the display unitthat the processing up to step ST25 has come to a close, or thattime-out has occurred. The personal computer 60 then terminates theprocessing.

The personal computer 60 thus reads out and supervises the TOC data ofthe first and second flash memories 9 a, 9 b from the IC recorder 1 tocontrol the operation of the IC recorder 1.

The personal computer 60 generates new TOC data, as shown for example inFIG. 9, based on TOC data read out from the first and Second flashmemories 9 a, 9 b, and TOC data for the personal computer supervisingthe task files within the personal computer 60. The new TOC data, thusgenerated, is stored in a storage area dedicated to the storage unitdesigned to store the TOC data for the personal computer 60.

The TOC data, shown in FIG. 9, is configured substantially similarly tothe TOC data shown in FIG. 9, and is made up of “memory number”, “filenumber”, “task number”, “start address”, “end address”, “LP/SP”,“priority”, “alarm/non-alarm”, “recording date and time”, and “alarmtime”.

The “memory number” of “00”, “01” or “10” denotes the task file of thefirst flash memory 9 a, task file of the second flash memory 9 b and thetask file stored in the personal computer 60, respectively. In the“start address” and “end address” of the task files of the TOC data,stored in the personal computer 60, there are indicated the filenames ofthe task files, as shown in FIG. 9.

For example, in FIG. 9, the task file of the file number 01, with thetask number 01, stored in the first flash memory 9 a, is of SP mode andthe priority 3. The task file of the file number 01, with the tasknumber 02, stored in the personal computer 60, has the pre-set filename,with the mode being the SP mode and the priority equal to 2.

Using the TOC data, shown in FIG. 9, the personal computer 60 displaysthe information of the respective task files on a display device, notshown, in the order of the falling priority, in the order of the alarmsetting time becoming remoter from the current time or in the order ofthe earlier recording time. Thus, the user is able to handle task fileswithout becoming conscious as to in which of the IC recorder 1 or thepersonal computer 60 the task file being handled is recorded, so thatthe user interface can be improved in tractability.

The configuration of the communication data when the communication ishad between the IC recorder 1 and the personal computer 60 ishereinafter explained.

The communication data is made up of “commands” and “data”, as shown inFIG. 10. The “commands” may be enumerated by a “control command”, “filenumber”, “task number” and the “number of attached data”. The “controlcommand” shows the contents of control commands, such asupload/download. The “number of attached data” indicates the number ofattached data at the time of downloading. The communication data isoccasionally devoid of a data portion, depending on the contents of thecontrol command.

The exchange of communication data between the IC recorder 1 and thepersonal computer 60 is explained. It is assumed here that the ICrecorder 1 and the personal computer 60 are provided with parallel portsto have parallel communication with each other. As the parallel ports ofthe personal computer 60 of the IC recorder 1 and the personal computer60, there are provided parallel ports “data 0”, “data 1”, “data 2”,“busy” and “select”, as shown in FIG. 11.

First, the personal computer 60 sends a request signal inquiring the ICrecorder 1 whether or not data can be exchanged and, directly aftersending the request signal, sends a control command instructinguploading or downloading to the IC recorder 1, as shown in FIG. 12. Ifready for transmission/reception, the IC recorder 1 returns anacknowledgement signal of that effect to the personal computer 60. Onconfirming reception of the acknowledgement signal, the personalcomputer 60 sends pre-set clocks to the IC recorder 1 andtransmits/receives data for uploading or downloading in synchronism withthe clocks.

In a state in which the IC recorder 1 and the personal computer 60 canhave data transmission/reception with each other, task files can bemoved easily between the IC recorder 1 and the personal computer 60.Specifically, the personal computer 60 performs the processing as fromstep ST31 shown in FIG. 13.

At step ST31, the personal computer 60 checks whether or not the taskmovement is internally completed, that is whether or not the task fileis not moved between it and the IC recorder 1. If the personal computer60 has verified that the task file is not moved between it and the ICrecorder 1, the personal computer 60 proceeds to step ST42 and, ifotherwise, it proceeds to step ST32.

At step ST32, the personal computer 60 sends a request signal to the ICrecorder 1. Directly after sending the request signal, the personalcomputer 60 sends a request signal to the IC recorder 1. Directly aftertransmission of the request signal, a “command” having a “task movementcommand” is sent as the “control command” shown in FIG. 10 to the ICrecorder 1. The personal computer 60 then proceeds to step ST33.

At step ST33, the personal computer 60 verifies whether or the ICrecorder 1 has received a task issuing command and is ready foracceptance. Specifically, the personal computer 60 verifies whether ornot it has received the acknowledge signal from the IC recorder 1 and,if it has received the acknowledge signal, the personal computer 60deems that the IC recorder 1 is ready for acceptance and proceeds tostep ST34. If the acknowledge signal is not received within pre-settime, the personal computer 60 deems that the IC recorder 1 is not readyfor acceptance, and proceeds to step ST43.

At step ST34, the personal computer 60 verifies whether or not the taskbeing moved is moved from the personal computer 60 to the IC recorder 1.If the task is moved from the personal computer 60 to the IC recorder 1,the personal computer 60 proceeds to step ST35. If the task is not movedfrom the personal computer 60 to the IC recorder 1, the personalcomputer 60 deems that the task file is moved from the IC recorder 1 tothe personal computer 60 and proceeds to step ST37.

At step ST35, the personal computer 60 transmits the task file to bemoved to the IC recorder 1 and then proceeds to step ST36. Inassociation with the processing at step ST35, the personal computer 60performs control to update TOC data of the flash memory 9.

At step ST36, the personal computer 60 deletes the transmitted task filefrom the storage unit of the personal computer 60 and proceeds to stepST39. The personal computer 60 also updates the TOC data supervising thetask file stored in the storage unit of the personal computer 60.

At step ST37, to which the personal computer 60 moves when it verifiesat step ST34 that the task file being moved is not moved from thepersonal computer 60 to the IC recorder 1, the personal computer 60receives the task file from the IC recorder 1 and proceeds to step ST38.In association with the processing at step ST37, the personal computer60 performs control to update the TOC data of the flash memory 9.

At step ST38, the personal computer 60 appends the filename to thereceived task file for storage in the storage unit of the personalcomputer 60. The personal computer 60 then proceeds to step ST39. Atthis time, the personal computer 60 deletes the received task file fromthe flash memory 9 of the IC recorder 1 and updates the TOC data of theflash memory 9, as mentioned previously.

At step ST39, the personal computer 60 reads out the TOC data from theflash memory 9 of the IC recorder 1 and then proceeds to step ST40.

At step ST40, the personal computer 60 re-generates the TOC data, whichsupervises the totality of the task files, based on the read-out TOCdata and the TOC data in the personal computer 60. The personal computer60 then proceeds to step ST41.

At step ST41, the personal computer 60 performs control to display dataconcerning task files stored in the IC recorder 1 and in the personalcomputer 60, based on the re-generated TOC data, to terminate theprocessing.

At step ST42, to which the personal computer 60 moves when it has beenverified at step ST31 that the task movement is internally completed,the personal computer 60 moves the task file in accordance with theoperational setting on the personal computer 60, before proceeding tostep ST40.

At step ST43, to which the personal computer 60 proceeds when it hasverified at step ST33 that the IC recorder 1 has not been readied foracceptance within the preset time the personal computer 60 displays theerror on the display device, not shown, to terminate the processing.

Thus, with the personal computer 60, the task files, stored in the firstflash memory 9 a enclosed in the IC recorder 1, in the second flashmemory 9 b detachably mounted on the IC recorder 1 or in the storageunit of the personal computer 60, that is task files 0 to 8, can bemoved freely between the personal computer 60 and the IC recorder 1,without the user having to be conscious from which memory or storageunit the task file is derived, as shown in FIG. 14. That is, even indata transmission/reception with the external equipment or with theexternal devices, the task files can be supervised without makingdistinction as to the type of the recording medium, subject tocoincidence of the transmission/reception format.

Even if the second flash memory 9 b, mounted on the IC recorder 1, isdetached from the IC recorder 1, the personal computer 60 is able togenerate new TOC data, based on the TOC data stored in the first flashmemory 9 a and in the storage unit of the personal computer 60, that ison the TOC data except the TOC data stored in the second flash memory 9b, to read or write the task files based on the generated TOC data.Thus, even if the second flash memory 9 b is dismounted, the IC recorder1 is able to record/reproduce the task files without being affected bysuch dismounting of the second flash memory 9 b.

Although the task files composed of speech data are taken as an examplein the foregoing description, this is merely illustrative such that dataother than such task file can be used within the scope of the presentinvention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

With the recording/reproducing apparatus of the present invention,respective management data are read out from respective storage means togenerate new management data, and the respective storage means arehandled as one based on new management data to perform control on datawriting and readout, so that the data can be handled easily without theuser having to be conscious in which storage means is stored the data.

Also, with the recording/reproducing system according to the presentinvention, an external control device controls the control means of therecording/reproducing apparatus to read out respective management datafrom plural storage means via an interface and to read out managementdata from other storage means. Based on the read-out management data,the respective storage means are handled as unitary storage means tocontrol data writing and data readout. Thus, the data can be handledeasily without the operator having to be conscious as to in whichstorage means the data are stored.

1. A device configured to be connected to an external device, theexternal device being configured to store first data and correspondingfirst management data and configured to reproduce the first data inresponse to operational control caused by user input to an operationunit of the external device, the device comprising: a storage unitconfigured to store second data and corresponding second managementdata; a connector configured to connect to the external device; and acontroller configured to, when the external device is connected to thedevice, (1) control the connector to receive the first management datafrom the external device, (2) generate third management data by mergingthe first and second management data, (3) control a display unit todisplay, in a predetermined order as a single list, the third managementdata, (4) control handing over of operational control of the externaldevice to the device; and (5) control reproduction of at least one ofthe first and second data in response to operational control caused byuser input to an operation unit of the device.
 2. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the first and second data is audio data.
 3. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a flash memory.4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and secondmanagement data includes at least one of a data number, a start address,an end address, information related to a sampling rate, a priority, analarm on/off, a recording date, and an alarm time.
 5. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the third management data includes atleast one of a priority, recording data, and an alarm time; and thecontroller controls the display unit to display the third managementsorted by the at least one of the priority, the recording data, and thealarm time.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controllercontrols the reproduction based on the operational control caused by theuser input to the displayed third management data.
 7. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the external device is an IC recorder. 8.The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to controlthe display unit to display the third management data in thepredetermined order, which is based on one of a priority level, an alarmsetting time, and a recording time.
 9. The device of claim 1, whereinthe controller is configured to exchange a control command with theexternal device and to determine whether data is to be transferred fromthe storage unit to the external device by analyzing the controlcommand.
 10. A computer readable medium storing a computer programwhich, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform amethod of managing data for a device that is configured to be connectedto an external device, the external device being configured to storefirst data and corresponding first management data and configured toreproduce the first data in response to operational control caused byuser input to an operation unit of the external device, the methodcomprising: storing, in a storage unit of the device, second data andcorresponding second management data; controlling a connector of thedevice to receive the first management data from the connected externaldevice, when the device is connected to the external device; generatingthird management data by merging the first and second management data,when the device is connected to the external device; controlling adisplay unit to display, in a predetermined order as a single list, thethird management data, when the device is connected to the externaldevice; controlling handing over of operational control of the connectedexternal device to the device, when the device is connected to theexternal device; and controlling reproduction of at least one of thefirst and second data in response to operational control caused by userinput to an operation unit of the device, when the device is connectedto the external device.
 11. The computer-readable medium according toclaim 10, wherein the first and second data is audio data.
 12. Thecomputer-readable medium according to claim 10, wherein storing stepcomprises storing the second data and the corresponding secondmanagement data in a flash memory of the device.
 13. Thecomputer-readable medium according to claim 10, wherein the first andsecond management data includes at least one of a data number, a startaddress, an end address, information related to a sampling rate, apriority, an alarm on/off, a recording date, and an alarm time.
 14. Thecomputer-readable medium according to claim 10, wherein the thirdmanagement data includes at least one of a priority, recording data, andan alarm time; and the step of controlling the display includescontrolling the display unit to display the third management sorted bythe at least one of the priority, the recording data, and the alarmtime.
 15. The computer-readable medium according to claim 10 wherein thestep of controlling reproduction includes controlling the reproductionbased on the operational control caused by the user input to thedisplayed third management data.
 16. The computer-readable mediumaccording to claim 10, wherein the external device is an IC recorder.17. A method of managing data for a device configured to be connected toan external device, the external device being configured to store firstdata and corresponding first management data and configured to reproducethe first data in response to operational control caused by user inputto an operation unit of the external device, the method comprising:storing, in a storage unit of the device, second data and correspondingsecond management data; controlling a connector of the device to receivethe first management data from the external device, when the device isconnected to the external device; generating third management data bymerging the first and second management data, when the device isconnected to the external device; controlling a display unit to display,in a predetermined order as a single list, the third management data,when the device is connected to the external device; controlling handingover of operational control of the connected external device to thedevice, when the device is connected to the external device; andcontrolling reproduction of at least one of the first and second data inresponse to operational control caused by user input to an operationunit of the device, when the device is connected to the external device.18. A system for managing data, comprising: a device configured to beconnected to an external device; and the external device configured tostore first data and corresponding first management data and configuredto reproduce the first data in response to operational control caused byuser input to an operation unit of the external device, wherein thedevice includes a storage unit configured to store second data andcorresponding second management data; a connector configured to connectto the external device; and a controller configured to, when theexternal device is connected to the device, (1) control the connector toreceive the first management data from the external device, (2) generatethird management data by merging the first and second management data,(3) control a display unit to display, in a predetermined order as asingle list, the third management data, (4) control handing over ofoperational control of the external device to the device; and (5)control reproduction of at least one of the first and second data inresponse to operational control caused by user input to an operationunit of the device.